Hayley Thompson

After signing to Secret Chord Records, 'One Blood' is the newest EP from experienced Bristol alt-rockers Mind Museum. The band have had a long touring history supporting both Young Guns and Twin Atlantic, securing a loyal fan-base along the way. Those fans won't be disappointed with what's been delivered here, but 'One Blood' is unlikely to pull new fans in.

More rock albums were sold in 2013 than any other genre. Fronted by Snow Patrol's lead guitarist Nathan Connolly, Little Matador have it all to play for. Begging to be played at full volume, their début single 'Stitch Yourself Up' is a force to be reckoned with. Raspy rock vocals, stomp heavy bass, and semi-violent guitar riffs; Little Matador have delivered the type of cohesion that could only be described as sexual ooziness.

Former front-man of The King Blues knows a thing or two about straight up shenanigans! Itch has thrown a filthy curve-ball at the sound of 2014. Breaking every rule of genre, change is the only thing that's constant on this alluring clamor of infectious infusion.

Eager to do more than to treat us with their own spectacular tracks, 'Chvrches' relationship with music has taken a new turn with the launch of their own label - Goodbye Records. Previously managed by her parents, seventeen-year-old SOAK is the first artist to have been signed, and her genius EP is about to be released.

Open Mic UK is one of the nation's biggest search for unsigned acts. Over 9,000 artists signed up this year, including Heidi Browne, who stole the hearts of the judges with her original song 'G.I.R.L.F.R.I.E.N.D'. Courtesy of Future Music, Heidi now has a comprehensive consultation package and is set to join the ranks of Jacob Banks and Birdy. We caught up with Miss Browne following her win to find out what's next...

Rachel Sermanni slipped under the radar in 2012 when her début album Under Mountains failed to give her the recognition she so truly deserves. Since then, folk has grown into a generic genre and acoustic music has been popularised to a state of stagnancy. Now, Rachel is back. And she's about to change the game completely. 'Everything Changes' is a courageous EP that cleverly combines American carnivalesque with Scottish folk-ness.

Ellie Goulding is a marmite artist. Either you love her, or you loathe her. Whatever the case may be, as the official second-biggest selling artist in the UK in 2013, there's little to deny the girl's success. But has Goulding become an artist guilty for churning out a sub-par single knowing that it will become a hit, simply because it has her name on it? 'Goodness Gracious' is the answer to that.

US rapper, Angel Haze, took music industry matters into her own hands when she leaked her début album via SoundCloud last month. Haze had finished recording Dirty Gold in the summer of 2013, but the labels weren't happy to drop the album until March of this year. Blazed with rage, Angel served up her music on 18th December, as promised to her fans: "So sorry to Island/Republic Records, but fuck you. I got here doing this for my fans and if you guys don't feel the same, it won't stop me."

X Factor winner Sam Bailey has officially claimed this year's UK Christmas Number One with her empowering cover of Demi Lovato's single, Skyscraper. Failed to see this one coming? Much like the Grinch who stole Christmas, this is the sixth year that Simon Cowell has influenced the top spot. Bailey's ballad sold 149,000 copies in total, making it one of the fastest selling singles of the year. Pharrell's Happy somehow charted at number two, leaving X Factor legend Leona Lewis to peak at number three with that annoyingly festive pop song, One More Sleep. In the album chart, Wrong Direction lost out to Robbie Williams by a mere 200 copies for claiming the Official Christmas Number One Album.